Prof Ilochi, Anambra state Governor disagree over IPOB

www.odogwublog.com reports  that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof Ilochi Okafor and the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, yesterday disagreed on the proscription of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during the 2017/2018 legal year of the Anambra State judiciary led by Chief Judge of the State, Justice Peter Umeadi.

Umeadi in his remarks assured members of the judiciary in the State of a better working condition.

But, Obiano through his Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Anali Chude, described the Indigenous People of Biafra as enemies of the state for calling for a boycott of the November 18 poll in the State, while Prof Ilochi Okafor  SAN) said the secessionists group had the right in law for agitation.

Obiano urged the people of the state to go out en emasse on November 18 to exercise their franchise without fear of any molestation.
His words:  “Enemies of the state wanted to take the advantage to plunge Anambra state into chaos by directing that elections will not hold in Anambra State.
“It is the stand of the state government that elections must hold in Anambra State. We shall stand up to the occasion and refuse to allow people who do not wish Anambra State well to drag us to a situation whereby we will be turned into the guinea pig in Nigeria polity”.
But, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof Ilochi Okafor, said demonstration towards the realization of the right of self determination was recognized as fundamental rights in International law and the United Nations Charter.
He said the military had no role to play in quelling civilian demonstration where the police had not failed.
Okafor further said the Igbo had faced and lived down pogroms and threats of extermination for 100 years in the country.
His address reads in parts, “There is nothing like military democracy. It is democracy pure and simple; where practicing rule of law, where the security and welfare of citizens are paramount, without discrimination of tribe religion, sex and ethnic origin.
“Armies do not arrest civilians. Police do. Armies are not sanctioned against a peaceful people, or demonstration. Armies intervene where it is beyond the police, against insurrection, terrorism, and external aggression.
“The Igbo are a peaceful people. Demonstrations towards realization of the right to self determination are recognized as fundamental rights in International Law and United Nations Charter. Nigeria is bound by such law.
“Our people were issued with Civil Notice to leave the North or face very dire consequences. No person has been arrested. The Army has not been stationed in the North. October 1 is the deadline and, is around the comer. Who protects our people presently in the North; who has protected us from Fulani Herdsmen?
“Despite the verbal violence and grandiose rhetoric of Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB is not a terrorist Origination. No person has been killed by IPOB. Its rallies have been heavily crowded but it has not been shown that any person carried or discharged weapons during the rallies.